His political diaries 2005-2010, ending with the general election and his personal resignation. A lot of interesting precursors to what happened in the election and afterwards, and some excellent comments about Clegg! Has a valedictory feel as old friends pass away and his career dwindles, but still some of the best diaries around.

Read for All Virago All August. A marvellous read about a set of rather eccentric aunts, the niece who comes among them and the slightly unseemly fight for a neighbourhood gentleman. Lovely character and the acerbic and highly observational work I’m already coming to associate with this author.

A return to form for Agatha, as the murders are not too horrible. We have more of the detective agency involved, although there are a couple of unresolved issues. The Christmas theme doesn’t mean it HAS to be read then.

Read for All Virago All August.
Steeped in maternity and family, a rather amazing Virago for its time, and now. Like being immersed in the waiting suspension of late pregnancy and the milky intimacy of a new mother. The female Squire running her house contrasts with the sere butler and communes with her midwife and friend, again contrasted with their virginity and rather desperate youthfullness respectively. Hugely engaging; absorbing in all respects.

Another flimsy e-book, that wasn’t really a book, but a collection of stories about inspirational people plus efforts, sent in to Godin. Inspirational but the sheer number of entries and their unedited nature, means this wears thin.

A Trollope “issue book”, this one about the current, but not married, family of a man who dies, warring with the original wife and son. The research – on music and Newcastle – show itself clunkily and it’s all a bit contrived and tells rather than shows, of course. Passes the time.